Used car guide

2015 Fiat Panda diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Fiat Panda first registered in 2015 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 1,186 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,186MOTs of 2015 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%)
6,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for brake discs

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Fiat Panda diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Fiat Panda diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Brake discs2.2× usual
    Fiat Panda
    27.5% All 2015 cars
    12.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
    Fiat Panda
    19.1% All 2015 cars
    5.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Shock absorbers2.7× usual
    Fiat Panda
    12.6% All 2015 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Prop shaftnull× usual
    Fiat Panda
    5.6% All 2015 cars
    0%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Engine oil leaks3.1× usual
    Fiat Panda
    7.7% All 2015 cars
    2.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2015 Fiat Panda diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Fiat Panda diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    36% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    20% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2015 Fiat Panda diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Fiat Panda diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2015 Fiat Panda diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2015 Fiat Panda diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2015 Fiat Panda diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Fiat Panda?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Fiat Panda compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2022550Tyres 15%
20211,475Tyres 18%
20204,658Tyres 18%
20197,586Tyres 21%
20187,901Tyres 24%
201710,413Tyres 26%
201614,349Tyres 27%
201423,577Suspension 34%
201322,219Suspension 38%
201218,874Suspension 43%
201115,786Suspension 57%
201025,882Suspension 58%
200929,120Suspension 57%
200814,021Suspension 57%
200714,873Suspension 57%
200611,524Suspension 57%
20058,835Suspension 58%
20047,429Suspension 57%
2003215Suspension 58%
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993126Suspension 48%
1992146Lights and electrics 36%
1991112Suspension 34%
1990122Lights and electrics 33%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Fiat Panda cars first registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score